Virtual Universe

Qiu Long Main City was the administrative capital of Qiu Long Planet. It had a vast area and an extremely low population density. As a result, the actual traffic in the airspace above Qiu Long City was not heavy, allowing Lu Yan'an to maintain a fairly high flying speed.

"There are a few more basic facts I should fill you in on, so you don't embarrass yourself when you venture out into the universe someday!" Lord Shen grew a little more serious as he broached the subject.

"The Universe Galaxy Bank, the Universe First Bank, the Giant Axe Dojo, the Universe Mercenary Alliance, and the Virtual Universe Company are the five behemoths of the universe. No other force can compare to them—not even the so-called 'high-level civilizations' of the universe. Of the five, the Virtual Universe Company is the most unusual."

"The other four forces were all established on the foundation of the Virtual Universe Company! The Giant Axe Dojo claims to be the strongest, but in truth, that claim has always been a matter of debate..." Lord Shen began his rundown of common knowledge and analysis of the current situation...

If I hadn't read the original, I would've been completely led astray by that brilliant analysis... Lu Yan'an grumbled to himself. Lord Shen's analysis was complete nonsense, but the conclusion he'd reached had accidentally hit the mark—joining the Virtual Universe Company was the best way to get the most suitable training.

Although the Giant Axe Dojo had Giant Axe Founder, one of the only two True Gods in the Human Race at present, he really wasn't suited to teaching disciples. In the original story, as the pillar of the Human Race, Giant Axe Founder had spent his whole life working for his people's resurgence. Even after taking on disciples, he rarely had time to guide them, as he spent most of his time adventuring in the Universe Ocean.

The Virtual Universe Company was entirely different. Lord of Darkness had even trained Lord of Youhou, a Universe Master, while City Lord of Chaos was City Lord Luo's teacher. When it came to teaching disciples, the two forces truly weren't in the same league.

As Lu Yan'an was thinking this, Lord Shen called out beside him, "We're here, we're here! The Virtual Universe Company is just ahead!" Lu Yan'an looked up and saw the enormous, brightly lit sign reading "Virtual Universe Company" in Universal Language. The company's buildings stood out far more than the structures around them.

Lu Yan'an began slowly descending toward the ground...

Qiu Long City, Virtual Universe Company branch.

"Sir, how may I help you?" asked an Ape-man woman in a red uniform, bowing slightly. She had a pleasant face.

"Open an account," Lu Yan'an replied.

"For an account, how many years of Virtual Universe Network fees would you like to pay in advance? We offer three options: 100 years, 1,000 years, and years. The annual fee is 10 Black Dragon Coins or 0.008 Ganwu Coins." The receptionist smoothly recited her spiel.

Lu Yan'an felt nothing at the price. After all, he was a man carrying hundreds of thousands of Ganwu Coins!

Normally, most people who used the virtual network were Planetary Level or above. Few below Planetary Level could afford such hefty "internet fees."

"Do you sell Consciousness Induction Helmets here?" Lu Yan'an asked.

Back on Yuan Planet, the people were still living in a feudal era and didn't even know what the internet was. Lu Yan'an planned to buy some Consciousness Induction Helmets for his relatives back on Yuan Planet.

"A Consciousness Induction Helmet costs 10 Black Dragon Coins." A flicker of surprise crossed the receptionist's eyes. Almost no one used the outdated Consciousness Induction Helmets anymore.

"What about anonymous accounts?" Lu Yan'an asked.

Some Planet Lords in the universe bought Consciousness Induction Helmets for their subjects to use. These were usually anonymous accounts. However, anonymous accounts... generally lasted only 100 years. Once they expired, new accounts had to be purchased.

These anonymous accounts couldn't be bound to specific users.

In other words, anyone could use them, but only for up to 100 years.

"Anonymous accounts have a fixed term of 100 years. Each account costs 2,000 Black Dragon Coins, or 1.6 Ganwu Coins," the receptionist replied with a smile.

"Great."

Lu Yan'an nodded. "I need 10 anonymous accounts and 10 Consciousness Induction Helmets. I'll pay for 1,000 years when I open the account."

With his citizenship in the Black Dragon Empire, opening an account was easy.

After paying 170 Ganwu coins, all the paperwork was completed.

"Sir, the 10 anonymous accounts have been linked to these 10 Consciousness Induction Helmets. Here's your change. Thank you for your business," the receptionist said with a smile. Lu Yan'an swept his hand, put the 10 helmets into his Space Ring, and turned to leave.

After leaving the Virtual Universe Company.

"Lord Shen, let's enter the Virtual Universe," Lu Yan'an said.

"Haha, I've been waiting for this day!" Lord Shen was thrilled. Ever since entering Yuan Planet to guard its master's legacy, he hadn't been in the Virtual Universe for ages. He'd always been restless by nature, and staying in a tiny place like Yuan Planet was no different from being in prison! Now that he could finally roam the Virtual Universe again, he was even more excited than Lu Yan'an. But although Lu Yan'an could now multitask, he still couldn't split his consciousness. Before entering the Virtual Universe, Lord Shen had to find him somewhere safe.

An hour later, inside a hotel on Qiu Long Planet.

Lu Yan'an released the Mithril Guard from his Space Ring to keep watch over him. Then his consciousness began to travel to another place...

"Connecting to the Virtual Universe..."

A deep, immense voice echoed in Lu Yan'an's consciousness.

His consciousness sank into darkness.

In the Virtual Universe, there was everything—games, food, beautiful women, finance, trading, duels, learning... It gathered all the finest minds in the universe. Some people treated virtual games as reality, playing for hundreds or even thousands of years. Some even married and had children in the Virtual Universe. As long as you had money, the Virtual Universe could satisfy your every desire.

But if you spent all day in the Virtual Universe, playing virtual games and the like, you'd end up miserable unless you had no pressure or ambition and money to burn! For most people, that was all but inevitable.

"Lu Yan'an, congratulations on entering the Virtual Universe. Now, let's take the first step on your path of cultivation—getting to know the Virtual Universe! Of course, aside from its communications function, you can ignore all its other entertainment features. They're nothing but a waste of money and time!"

Having entered the Virtual Universe, Lord Shen had returned to his lively old self. Even his introduction to the Virtual Universe was delivered with boundless enthusiasm.

"And do you know the best way for a warrior to grow stronger?" Lord Shen asked, looking at Lu Yan'an.

"With enough resources, cultivate hard in seclusion; without enough resources, venture into the universe?" Lu Yan'an thought for a moment, then cautiously gave his answer.

To his surprise, Lord Shen shook his head and said in a cautionary tone:

"Secluding yourself to cultivate is the stupidest way to improve as a warrior. Unless you're a Manka Star Person or a Golden Horned Beast, with a powerful natural bloodline that guarantees you'll reach Domain Lord or World Lord, taking life-or-death risks is the best way to grow stronger! The terror of facing life and death can bring out your potential far more effectively!"

It was universally acknowledged across the universe: without life-or-death trials, no one could become a true powerhouse! Even the Virtual Universe couldn't replace people's cultivation. It was only a tool to aid it, powerful as it could sometimes be.

In the original story, City Lord Luo had broken through as easily as eating or drinking, and at first glance, it seemed he hadn't faced many adventures. But if you looked at his life as a whole, you'd see that he had constantly risked his life. During the Apprentice Stage, before he could protect himself, he was targeted by the Vulture Couple. After reaching the Planetary Level and inheriting Yunmo Planet's legacy, he was nearly killed by the Golden Horned Beast. After reaching Star Level and joining the Virtual Universe Company, he was repeatedly targeted for assassination and repeatedly ventured into secret realms, dancing on the edge of a knife. He rose through blood and fire and ultimately became a legend!

"But your situation is different from everyone else's!" Lord Shen said with a sly grin.

"You're an Illusionist! The Virtual Universe can't replace your training in domain laws, but it can help you cultivate as an Illusionist!" Lu Yan'an's eyes lit up. Right! Hadn't the Illusion Martial Artist trial he'd passed back then included training as an Illusionist?

With that thought, Lu Yan'an asked eagerly, "Lord Shen, are you saying the Virtual Universe has a way to help me improve my illusion skills?"

"Of course it does!" Lord Shen replied, deliberately keeping him in suspense. "But you'll have to wait until you reach Star Level. For now, set aside your Illusionist training. I'll tell you about warrior cultivation instead—the resources available to you at Planetary Level."

Hearing this, Lu Yan'an stopped dwelling on Illusionist training and looked at Lord Shen expectantly, eager to hear the answer.

Lord Shen's lips curled into a smile as he spoke three words—"The Killing Arena!"